Today's Q's for O's White House

de Nies: On don't ask/don't tell, how much was the president personally involved in that? I know you've said that he sort of turned that policy change over to the Pentagon, and you...

(CROSSTALK)

GIBBS: I don't think I said that. I've said -- I mean, the president hasn't himself been involved in meetings with the Pentagon. A solution has to include working with the Pentagon. But it's something that the president has been involved in since coming to this administration.

de Nies : How much of a priority is this for him?

GIBBS: Well, it's something...

de Nies : Is there a timeline?

GIBBS: When we can get it done. The president has talked about this. And I've talked about the fact that, to have an enduring solution, this has to be done legislatively. That's -- I think most people recognize, is going to take some time to do. Working with both Congress and the Pentagon, I think the president will address this in remarks at the event a little bit later today. But, pardon me?

Helen Thomas : (inaudible)

GIBBS: No. But, again, in order to have that enduring solution, this is going to have to be done legislatively.

de Nies : Can I ask one more question quickly?

GIBBS: Sure.

de Nies : On sort of a D.C. issue -- and that is: What hasn't the president changed his license plate on the presidential limousine? Is he planning to change them for the "taxation without representation" plates?

GIBBS: I think rather than change the logo around the license plate, the president is committed instead to changing the status of the District of Columbia.

de Nies : But that is a symbol, though, that a lot of people look at as...

GIBBS: Right. I guess I would ask you to ask people in Washington whether they'd like to have that status changed, or that symbolism screwed onto the back of a limousine?